SeVerizon blames strikers for service outages [telecom]

Verizon Reports Sabotage of Network, Implicating Striking Workers

APRIL 30, 2016

Service outages impacted thousands of customers - but unions say Verizon is to blame.

As it entered the third week of one of the biggest and most contentious strikes of the last decade, Verizon reported a more than

100% increase in suspected vandalism of its network infrastructure. As of Wednesday, the total was 57 incidents across seven states, mostly in the Northeast. Verizon says the incidents have disrupted the services of thousands of Verizon customers, in one case including 911 emergency services.

Though Verizon VZ -0.16% is making no direct accusations, the announcement is clearly intended to implicate the company's own striking workers. The announcement tallies the number of incidents since April 13th, the day the strike began, and contrasts the surge in vandalism with the normal rate of about six incidents per year.